Sheffield dam disaster anniversary | Calendar - ITV News 9 March 2014 at 8:22pm Sheffield dam disaster anniversary Events have begun to mark the 150th anniversary of the deaths of at least 240 people in what many see as a largely forgotten British disaster. Just before midnight on March 11, 1864, a wall of water smashed its way through Sheffield after a newly built dam burst as it was being filled, leaving a trail of devastation. Around half of those who died in the deluge were children. But historians of the disaster say the tragedy is largely forgotten, possibly because it was "in the north and because it involved working class people". This weekend, enthusiasts and interested members of the public gathered at an exhibition in the village of Bradfield, just north of Sheffield, to mark the anniversary. It is just one of a number of events over the next few days to remember the disaster, including in a wreath-laying ceremony at a memorial to the tragedy in the city centre on Tuesday. Guided walks and church services are also talking place. I am passionate about the flood. "It is this country's worst ever man-made disaster but virtually nobody knows about it.

"It's such a tragedy that so many people died through no fault of their own. "If it had happened in London there would be an annual memorial for it. Everyone would know about it. "But, because it was in the north and because it involved working class people nobody remembers it. "That's why I like to do my little bit." – Karen Lightowler, devotes her spare time tracing the descendants of those who died Bradfield parish archivist Malcolm Nunn explained how his great-great-great grandfather was William Horsfield - the farmer who first spotted a crack in the Dale Dyke dam, which had just been built to supply drinking water to fast-growing Sheffield. Hours after Mr Horsfield raised the alarm the structure collapsed, allowing 650 million of gallons of water to cascade down the Loxley Valley, devastating farms and hamlets devoted to metal working. The flood-water moved down to meet the River Don and then laid waste to large areas of the centre of Sheffield. One body was found at Conisbrough, 18 miles downstream. The death toll on the night was 240 but more died as a result of the diseases caused by the flood.

Enthusiasts gathered today agreed the final death-toll probably exceeded 300. Harrowing stories emerged of how many of the victims died. One person who drowned was a new-born baby washed from his mother's arms in Bradfield. Three children died in a cellar in Sheffield while their parents were away. More than 700 buildings and 20 bridges were destroyed. Sheffield historian Ron Clayton lives at Malin Bridge, the Sheffield suburb, which was a village in 1864 . Malin Bridge was worst hit by the flood waters, with 102 deaths. A photograph of the shattered remains of the Cleakum Inn, rebuilt later as the Malin Bridge Inn, is one of the many striking images of the disaster. If you look at those photographs, Malin Bridge was ground-zero. It was devastated, whole families wiped out, buildings just washed away. "The death toll of the flood was massive.

There's nothing else to compare with it in peacetime in terms of man-made disasters." – Ron Clayton, Sheffield historian Mr Clayton said interest in the 1864 disaster is growing but, if you mention the Great Sheffield Flood to most people in the city they still usually think of the 2007 inundation that saw many homes flooded and two people die in the water. We remember pit disasters and other tragedies and I think it's only right this is remembered too" – Ron Clayton, Sheffield historian It's not even very well known about in Sheffield, never mind nationally. "It was a major historical event and it needs to be remembered properly." – Mick Drewry, author of a book on the disaster Last updated Sun 9 Mar 2014 Memorial events mark 150th anniversary of Great Sheffield Flood | Daily Mail Online comments As a gale swept through Sheffield on the night of Friday, March 11, 1864, water engineer William Horsfield was sheltering under the town's new dam when he noticed a crack.

It was only wide enough to take a penknife, but it stretched along the earthen bank for 50 yards, following a jagged line 12 yards from the top. Just before midnight the dam burst, sending 650 million gallons of water cascading into central Sheffield in a disaster which killed more than 240 people in their beds. Devastation: Quickly dubbed the Great Sheffield Flood, the torrent killed around 300 people and destroyed 700 buildings. Pictured: The remains of the Rowell Bridge Wheel in Loxley. One body washed up 18 miles away Washed away: Hill Bridge in Walkley Lane, Hillsborough (pictured), was one of the 20 destroyed in the torrent Half of those who died instantly were children, and around 60 more were killed as diseases swept through the stagnant water in the aftermath. Historians will mark the 150th anniversary of the tragedy on Tuesday - but they say one of Britain's worst disasters has been largely forgotten because the dead were northern and working-class.

RELATED ARTICLES Share this article Share For years there was not a full-scale memorial to those who died in Sheffield, with only a small memorial stone near the village of Bradfield where the reservoir stood. Amateur historian Karen Lightowler, who devotes her spare time to tracing victims' descendants, said: 'I am passionate about the flood. It is this country's worst ever man-made disaster but virtually nobody knows about it. 'It's such a tragedy that so many people died through no fault of their own. Remembrance: Local historians say the disaster was largely forgotten because its victims were northern and working-class. For years there was no memorial in central Sheffield with only a memorial stone near the dam 'If it had happened in London there would be an annual memorial for it. Everyone would know about it. But, because it was in the north and because it involved working class people nobody remembers it.' The dam was built by the Sheffield Waterworks Company near the village of Bradfield from 1859 to provide drinking water for the people of the fast-growing industrial town. It was also designed to provide a supply of running water for the mills in surrounding villages.

But as it was being completed and filled the structure collapsed, sending water cascading down the Loxley Valley which devastated farms and hamlets devoted to metalworking. The floodwater then moved down to meet the River Don and laid waste to large areas of the centre of Sheffield. One body was found at Conisbrough - 18 miles downstream. Harrowing stories emerged of how many of the victims died. One person who drowned was a new-born baby washed from his mother's arms in Bradfield. Huge: Workmen inspect the break in the dam wall at the Dale Dyke Reservoir after it burst. A water engineer had noticed there was a crack a few hours before the disaster, wide enough to take a penknife Toll: More than 100 died in the village of Malin Bridge, where many homes and the Cleakum Inn (left) , were left in ruins. The area has since been rebuilt and is now a suburb of Sheffield, which would become a city Three children died in a cellar in Sheffield while their parents were away. Then a village and now a suburb, Malin Bridge was worst hit by the flood with 102 deaths.

A photograph of the shattered remains of the Cleakum Inn, rebuilt later as the Malin Bridge Inn, is one of the many striking images of the disaster. Sheffield historian Ron Clayton, who lives in Malin Bridge, said it was 'ground-zero. It was devastated, whole families wiped out, buildings just washed away. 'If it had happened in London there would be an annual memorial for it. Everyone would know about it. But, because it was in the north and because it involved working class people nobody remembers it.' - Amateur historian Karen Lightowler 'The death toll of the flood was massive. There's nothing else to compare with it in peacetime in terms of man-made disasters. 'We remember pit disasters and other tragedies and I think it's only right this is remembered too.' Mr Horsfield raised the alarm after he spotted the crack at 5.30pm that day, but he thought it posed no major risk. It was examined later that evening but by 9pm the contractors had gone home, saying it would not be a danger to the public. That did not stop the water firm's resident engineer, a Mr Gunson, travelling with a colleague that night to examine the state of the dam.

According to Samuel Harrison, a journalist who was writing at the time, they crossed the dangerously unstable bank before his colleague cried: 'If we don't relieve the dam of water there'll be a blow up in half an hour.' They tried to blow up a weir to relieve the pressure, but for one reason or another the gunpowder would not ignite. By then it was too late. As one inspector put it, according to Mr Harrison: 'Not even a Derby horse could have carried the warning in time to have saved the people down the valley.' Mr Horsfield's great-great-great-grandson, Malcolm Nunn, still lives in Bradfield and is the parish archivist. Memories: The reservoir still exists near the village of High Bradfield (pictured), six miles from Sheffield Industrial heartland: The reservoir was being filled to provide drinking water to Sheffield's growing population This weekend, locals gathered at an exhibition in the village to mark the anniversary, one of a number of events over the next few days to remember the disaster. The ceremonies will include a wreath-laying ceremony at a memorial to the tragedy in Sheffield city centre on Tuesday.

Guided walks and church services are also talking place and primary school children will sing songs commissioned especially to remember the disaster. Mick Drewry, whose book on the disaster is due out later this year, said: 'It's not even very well known about in Sheffield, never mind nationally. 'It was a major historical event and it needs to be remembered properly.' Sarah Hung has travelled from Hong Kong to attend the memorial as she is descended from some of the victims. She said: 'It's such a massive disaster and it's right it's remembered like this even though it was 150 years ago.' Events to mark dam burst disaster (From Lancashire Telegraph) National News Events to mark dam burst disaster Damage at Rowell Bridge Wheel in Loxley following the Great Sheffield Flood in 1884 (Sheffield City Council/PA Wire) 0 comments Events have begun to mark the 150th anniversary of the deaths of at least 240 people in what many see as a largely forgotten British disaster. Just before midnight on March 11, 1864, a wall of water smashed its way through Sheffield after a newly built dam burst as it was being filled, leaving a trail of devastation.

Around half of those who died in the deluge were children. But historians of the disaster say the tragedy is largely forgotten, possibly because it was "in the north and because it involved working class people". This weekend, enthusiasts and interested members of the public gathered at an exhibition in the village of Bradfield, just north of Sheffield, to mark the anniversary. It is just one of a number of events over the next few days to remember the disaster, including in a wreath-laying ceremony at a memorial to the tragedy in the city centre on Tuesday. Guided walks and church services are also talking place. Karen Lightowler, who devotes her spare time to tracing the descendants of those who died, said: "I am passionate about the flood. "It is this country's worst ever man-made disaster but virtually nobody knows about it. "It's such a tragedy that so many people died through no fault of their own. "If it had happened in London there would be an annual memorial for it. Everyone would know about it. "But, because it was in the north and because it involved working class people nobody remembers it.

"That's why I like to do my little bit." Bradfield parish archivist Malcolm Nunn explained how his great-great-great grandfather was William Horsfield - the farmer who first spotted a crack in the Dale Dyke dam, which had just been built to supply drinking water to fast-growing Sheffield. Hours after Mr Horsfield raised the alarm the structure collapsed, allowing 650 million of gallons of water to cascade down the Loxley Valley, devastating farms and hamlets devoted to metal working. The flood-water moved down to meet the River Don and then laid waste to large areas of the centre of Sheffield. One body was found at Conisbrough, 18 miles downstream. The death toll on the night was 240 but more died as a result of the diseases caused by the flood. Enthusiasts gathered today agreed the final death-toll probably exceeded 300. Harrowing stories emerged of how many of the victims died. One person who drowned was a new-born baby washed from his mother's arms in Bradfield. Three children died in a cellar in Sheffield while their parents were away. More than 700 buildings and 20 bridges were destroyed.

Sheffield historian Ron Clayton lives at Malin Bridge, the Sheffield suburb, which was a village in 1864 . Malin Bridge was worst hit by the flood waters, with 102 deaths. A photograph of the shattered remains of the Cleakum Inn, rebuilt later as the Malin Bridge Inn, is one of the many striking images of the disaster. Mr Clayton said: "If you look at those photographs, Malin Bridge was ground-zero. It was devastated, whole families wiped out, buildings just washed away. "The death toll of the flood was massive. There's nothing else to compare with it in peacetime in terms of man-made disasters." Mr Clayton said interest in the 1864 disaster is growing but, if you mention the Great Sheffield Flood to most people in the city they still usually think of the 2007 inundation that saw many homes flooded and two people die in the water. "We remember pit disasters and other tragedies and I think it's only right this is remembered too," he said. Mick Drewry, whose book on the disaster is due out later this year, said: "It's not even very well known about in Sheffield, never mind nationally.

"It was a major historical event and it needs to be remembered properly." Sarah Hung, from Hong Kong, said she timed her visit to relatives in the UK so she could attend the event as she is descended from some of those who died. "It's such a massive disaster and it's right it's remembered like this even though it was 150 years ago." Dam Failures: Impact on Reservoir Safety Legislation in Great Britain - Springer Find out how to access preview-only content Reference Work Entry Part of the series Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series pp 177-186 Dam Failures: Impact on Reservoir Safety Legislation in Great Britain J. Andrew CharlesAffiliated withFormerly, Building Research Establishment Email author Get Access Introduction “Every dam, regardless of its size, is in some degree a potential menace to everything below it. There is nothing so relentless in its immediate destructiveness, so uncontrollable and deadly as a huge volume of water suddenly released.” This warning, which was given at a symposium in New York on the public supervision of dams (Hinderlider, 1932 ), forms a necessary reminder that although reservoirs have provided immense benefits to mankind, as with all human progress, there is a price to be paid.

Part of that price is the potential hazard of a dam breach when the uncontrolled release of the impounded water can cause enormous property damage, injury, and death. In 1930, the year that the New York symposium was held, comprehensive reservoir safety legislation was introduced into Great Britain in the form of the Reservoirs (Safety Provisions) Act. British reservoir safety legislation applies to “raised reservoirs,” that is to say it applies where artificially created ... This is an excerpt from the content Page %P References (19) Bibliography Banyard, J. K., Coxon, R. E., and Johnston, T. A., 1992. Carsington reservoir – reconstruction of the dam. In Civil Engineering, Proceedings of Institution of Civil Engineers, Vol. 92, August, no. 3, pp. 106–115. Binnie, G. M., 1981. Early Victorian Water Engineers. London: Thomas Telford, p. 264. Building Research Establishment, 1994. Register of British dams. Report BR 261. BRE Bookshop, Garston, Hertfordshire. 55 pp. Charles, J.

A., 1993. Embankment dams and their foundations: safety evaluation for static loading. In Dam Safety Evaluation. Proceedings of International Workshop. Grindelwald, Vol. 4, pp. 47–75. Charles, J. A., 2002. A historical perspective on reservoir safety legislation in the United Kingdom. In Reservoirs in a changing world. Proceedings of 12th British Dam Society Conference, Dublin. London, Thomas Telford, pp. 494–509. Charles, J. A., and Tedd, P., 2000. Reservoir safety: review of publications 1999–2000. Dams and Reservoirs, Journal of the British Dam Society, 10(3), 38–44. Charles, J. A., and Watts, K. S., 1987. The measurement and significance of horizontal earth pressures in the puddle clay cores of old earth dams. In Proceedings of Institution of Civil Engineers. Part 1, Vol. 82, February, pp. 123–152. Cooling, L.

F., and Golder, H. Q., 1942. The analysis of the failure of an earth dam during construction. Journal of Institution of Civil Engineers, 19, 38–55. Coxon, R. E., 1986. Failure of Carsington embankment. Report to the Secretary of State for the Environment, HMSO, London, 176 pp. Engineering News-Record, 1926. Failure of dam in Wales due to washout under foundation, Vol. 96, no 1, January 7, pp. 12–13. Hinderlider, M. C., 1932. Necessity for, and penalties for lack of, supervision. In Proceedings of American Society of Civil Engineers, Vol. 58, no. 1, January, pp. 28–41. Hinks, J. L., Mason, P. J., and Claydon, J. R., 2008. Ulley reservoir and high velocity spillway flows. In Ensuring Reservoir Safety into the Future. Proceedings of 15th British Dam Society Conference, Warwick.

London, Thomas Telford, pp. 227–237. Institution of Civil Engineers, 1966. Reservoir safety. Report of the ad hoc committee set up by the Institution of Civil Engineers to submit proposals for a revision of the Reservoirs (Safety Provisions) Act 1930. Institution of Civil Engineers, 2000. A Guide to the Reservoirs Act 1975. London: Thomas Telford, 209 pp. CrossRef Mason, P. J., and Hinks, J. L., 2009. Conclusions from the post-incident review for Ulley dam. Dams and Reservoirs, Journal of the British Dam Society, 19(1), 43–44. CrossRef Pitt, M., 2008. Effective management of dams and reservoirs. Learning lessons from the 2007 floods: independent review by Sir Michael Pitt. London: Cabinet Office, pp. 301–312. Potts, D. M., Dounias, G. T., and Vaughan, P. R., 1990.

Finite element analysis of progressive failure of Carsington embankment. Geotechnique, 40(1), 79–101. CrossRef Rawlinson, R., and Beardmore, N., 1864. Sheffield Waterworks failure – Dale Dike or Bradfield reservoir: Report on the failure and bursting of a reservoir embankment belonging to the Sheffield Waterworks Company on the night of Friday 11 March 1864. Presented to Parliament by Her Majesty’s Command, 20 May 1864. Wright, C. E., 1994. UK reservoir failures and safety legislation. Dams and Reservoirs, Journal of the British Dam Society, 4(3), 20–21. About this Reference Work Entry Title Business: From buying a paradise island to revamping a French chateau: Derelict churches are a reflection of the long, slow decline The derelict island was transformed into a paradise home, complete with solar-powered home that collects rainwater David and Linda Waller - Graves Island Light Station, Boston They may not own a boat, but they own an offshore lighthouse!

Dave and Linda Waller stumbled upon an auction for the 110-year-old Graves Island Light Station, located at the mouth of Boston Harbour, and knew they had to be part of it. A furious bidding war followed, leaving the Waller's the victors and left to pay $933,888 for the off-shore property. Mortgaging their house the couple embarked on a mission to renovate the lighthouse in the hope it could one day be opened to the public for overnight stays. David (left) and Linda Waller decided to mortgage their house to buy the 110-year-old Graves Island Light Station (right) located at the mouth of Boston Harbour +25 The couple have decided to transform the iconic offshore lighthouse in order for the public to stay in it overnight A dilapidated country mansion in the Scottish Highlands that was once the secret love nest of Coco Chanel and the Earl of Grosvenor has gone on the market for £3million. The Rosehall Estate near Inverness boasts a 22-room main house along with 700 acres of land and five separate out buildings.

It was built in the 1820 but its most colourful period of its history was during the 1920s after it was bought by Hugh 'Bendor' Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster. +13 The main house on the Rosehall Estate near Inverness in the Scottish Highlands, which was once the secret love nest of the Duke of Westminster and Coco Chanel +13 The main house, pictured, has 22 rooms, which is set in 700 acres of land along with five separate out buildings that are on the market for £3milllion The house has not been lived in for more than 60 years and is now in a dilapidated state, right. Its most colourful history was when it was used as a secret love nest of the Duke of Westminster and Coco Chanel, left, The super-wealthy land owner would spend his summers at the property with the fashion designer, with whom he had an affair between 1923 and 1929. Miss Chanel would love to fish on the estate's river, catching more than 50 salmon, according to former Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who stayed with her at the property.

She redesigned the whole of the building's interior, making the property unique in the UK and despite leaving the home 85 years ago, a number of the rooms still bear her work. +13 One of the rooms inside the main house, which still has the remants of the hand-blocked wallpaper shipped in from France by the French designer +13 The French designer painstakingly decorated each room in subtle, elegant hues, much of it based on the look of her Paris apartment +13 A dilapidated bathroom in the main house. The estate, in the Scottish Highlands near Inverness, was originally built in 1820before being bought by the Duke +13 The downstairs vaults of the main house. It is on the market for £3million but also requires millions more to be spent on a full restoration The French designer painstakingly decorated each room in subtle, elegant hues, much of it based on the look of her Paris apartment. She had hand-blocked wallpaper shipped in from France, and oversaw local workmen as they put together simple fireplaces. Churchill, a friend of the Duke of Westminster, stayed at the mansion in 1928 as he recuperated following an illness.

In letter to his wife, Clementine, the future PM described both Chanel and the main house as 'very agreeable'. +13 As well as the main house on the 700 acre estate, it also comes with five outbuildings including a cottage set near to a wooded area +13 More of the outbuildings that come as part of the Rosehall Estate. Former Prime Minister Winston Churchill also stayed there while recuperating from illness He wrote: 'The air is most exhilarating, keen and yet caressing. Coco got three fish yesterday. 'This morning it is raining, which is good for fishing. We all play Bezique so that the time is not burdensome. 'Coco is here in place of Violet. She fishes from morn till night, and in two months has killed 50 salmon. She is very agreeable - really a great and strong being fit to rule a man or an Empire. 'Bennie is very well and, I think, extremely happy to be mated with an equal - her ability balancing his power.

We are the only three on the river, and have all the plums.' But the years and the harsh weather hasn't been kind to the estate and it has not been lived in for 60 years. +13 Set within the 700 acre estate is a lake and an island. Churchill wrote in a letter how Miss Chanel would love to fish on the estate's river, catching more than 50 salmon +13 The estate's herb garden growing a selection of produce. The estate is regarded as one of the most expensive properties in Scotland after going on the market for £3million +13 The view across the Highlands from one of the windows of the main house. It is being marketed by Lonfon-based estate agents RE/MAX, who suggest it could be turned into a family home or luxury hotel It now requires millions spent on a full restoration and, when ready, it could be returned to a stunning family home or converted into a luxury hotel. The estate has been put on the market with London-based RE/MAX for £3 million - making it one of the most expensive properties for sale in Scotland.

It is thought that the Duke and Miss Chanel were introduced in 1923 when the fashion designer was 40 by British socialite Vera Bate Lombardi. The Duke is said to have lavished her with expensive gifts, extravagant jewels and costly art and even provided her with a home in London's prestigious Mayfair. However, he is thought to have been devastated when she turned down his proposal of marriage, when she reportedly said: 'There have been several Duchesses of Westminster, there is only one Chanel.' Suspended in time: Eerie photographs capture decay of remote Scottish island homes that relatives can't bear to sell Photographs taken by former Buzzcocks drummer John Maher show abandoned homes on remote Scottish islands Haunting images taken in Outer Hebrides show properties rotting away as they lie untouched and unchanged But homes are often deliberately left exactly as they are following the death of loved ones as a memorial A remarkable photographic exhibition shows the family homes abandoned to decay on remote Scottish islands because relatives cannot bear to sell them. The haunting images, taken in the Outer Hebrides by former Buzzcocks drummer John Maher, show the properties slowly rotting away and remaining untouched and unchanged since the day the owner died.

The homes, many of them original crofters' cottages miles from the nearest road, appear frozen in time and some have become memorials to the dead of the islands. +15 This crofters' cottage on the Isle of Scalpay has clearly not been inhabited for years - the original stone chimneys can be seen, in contrast to the corrugated iron front, which would have been a relatively recent addition in order to keep out the bitter Hebridean winds +15 This eerie photo was taken from inside a crofters' cottage on the Isle of Harris - the broken glass cannot hide the beautiful sea view In some cases, estate agents have received enquires to buy the properties but were ordered to turn them down as relatives cling on to past lives in crofting communities. Now the stories behind the lost homes of Lewis, Harris and other islands have been revealed with the help of social media and will form part of an exhibition in Edinburgh which opens on January 4. The exhibition will feature pictures taken by Maher and Fife-based photographer Ian Paterson as well as a new concerto composed by former Scots Trad Music Awards winner Mike Vass.

The hauntingly beautiful photographs show lives suspended in time with wedding pictures on mantelpieces, beds fully made and even dinner plates on the table. +15 This picture shows the home of Kenneth and Peggy MacKinnon on the Isle of Harris. Although the couple later left the island they continued to make an annual pilgrimage home to light the fire and sit in the front room together - it was Peggy's last wish for the house to remain as it was +15 The exterior of the MacKinnon's home on the Isle of Harris - like many it had a corrugated iron casing to protect it from the harsh weather +15 This photo shows a home in the Isle of Harris which still has a family's sideboard, armchair and knick knacks despite the state of disrepair +15 A living room in a cottage on the island of Scalpay - the chair with a favourite blanket thrown over it is still positioned in front of the TV Mr Mahar, who drummed on 70s hits such as Ever Fallen in Love, stumbled across the hidden treasures when taking outdoor nighttime photographs around the Outer Hebrides. After entering the lost homes his interest soon turned to what was inside.

'In some of them you see so many personal belongings that have been left behind,' said Maher. 'There was one house with a suitcase on the bed and letters on the side board that haven't been opened.' +15 This photo, titled 'George's House' was taken on the small Island of Eriskay which lies between South Uist and the Isle of Barra +15 This extraordinary image shows an abandoned crofters' cottage on an unnamed island in the Outer Hebrides with the sea behind it +15 The kitchen in a cottage on the Isle of Harris remains a cheerful shade of yellow - a clock, mirror and framed photo add a personal touch He continued: 'In some houses it would be quite easy to spook yourself.' He teamed up with photographer Ian Paterson and soon the stories behind the mysterious houses started to emerged. Mr Paterson explained: 'The houses just exist as they are. It's very emotive. People still have a very close emotional attachment. There are a lot of emotions tied up in them.' After getting in touch with relatives through Facebook the story behind one of properties soon emerged. The house in Harris photographed by Maher still packed full of belongings was built by Kenneth and Peggy MacKinnon.

+15 This picture, taken on the Isle of Ensay, shows an abandoned bedroom with a neatly folded blanket on the bed and a view of a nearby chapel +15 The haunting images were taken on the islanda by former Buzzcocks drummer John Maher (pictured) and are part of an exhibition +15 This abandoned kitchen on Harris provides a snapshot in time - complete with old an fashioned teapot, a scythe and a framed photo Although the couple left the island in their later years they continued to make an annual pilgrimage home to light the fire and sit in the front room together. 'One of her [Peggy's] last wishes was for the house to remain as it was,' said Paterson. 'There is still a very strong personal connection.' 'When the older generation die off there is no one to take the houses over,' explained a Stornoway estate agent. The agent, who asked not to be named, said often people ask about old abandoned croft houses - 'where people are looking for that kind of lifestyle on the island'.

+15 This blue bedroom was photographed on South Uist - a mirror remains over the fireplace and the paint is in suprisingly good condition +15 This attic bedroom in a cottage on Lewis has a beautiful original fireplace painted pink - which contrasts with the peeling walls and dusty floor +15 The houses are often left to lie as they are by families after the death of the owners as a memorial to their loved ones But families often don't want to sell because 'it's the original family home'. 'It's sentimental family values. They have no intention to live in them at the moment,' she said. The remote locations of a lot of the properties - many of which were built before the roads and are not accessible by car - mean they lay hidden out of sight. Now they are at the mercy of the notorious Hebridean weather. 'Quite a few of these will disappear in the next five or ten years,' said Paterson. He added: 'Not all decay is bad decay. There is a lot of memories.' The exhibition 'Away Being' is launched on January 4th in Gallery 1 at St Margaret's House, 151 London Road, Edinburgh.

THE OUTER HEBRIDES: A BEAUTIFUL ISLAND CHAIN WITH A BLOODY AND TRAGIC HISTORY The Outer Hebrides are also known as the Western Isles, the Long Isle and in Gaelic, as Na h-Eileanan Siar and Innse Gall. The Outer Hebrides are comprised of an island chain off the west coast of mainland Scotand. The 15 inhabited islands form part of the Hebrides, separated from the Scottish mainland and from the Inner Hebrides by the waters of the Minch, the Little Minch and the Sea of the Hebrides. The inhabited islands have a total population of 27,400 - but there are more than 50 substantial uninhabited islands. The Western Isles became part of the Norse kingdom of the Suðreyjar, which lasted for over 400 years until sovereignty was transferred to Scotland by the Treaty of Perth in 1266. Control of the islands was then held by clan chiefs, principal of whom were the MacLeods, MacDonalds, Mackenzies and MacNeils.

The Highland Clearances of the 19th century, combined with the potato famine, had a devastating effect on many of the islands and it is only in recent years that population levels have stopped declining. Much of the land is now under local control and commercial activity is based on tourism, crofting, fishing, and weaving. Grade II-listed Loxley Chapel built in Sheffield in 1787 then closed two centuries later in 1993 Building now sits among overgrown plants as abandoned chapel in shocking state of disrepair Many of 240 victims of 1864 Great Sheffield Flood are buried in cemetery which is now overgrown Organ keys smashed to pieces, and stack of Bibles and hymn books now strewn across storeroom Built in 1787, it served its local community for more than two centuries – but it is now a scene of torn Bibles, broken organs and smashed windows. Loxley Chapel in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, was closed in 1993, and now sits among overgrown plants as an eerie abandoned place of worship.

The Grade II-listed church, once known as Loxley Methodist Church and Loxley United Reformed Church, has been left in a shocking state of disrepair.

Scroll down for video +22 Eerie: Loxley Chapel in Sheffield closed its doors in 1993, and now sits among overgrown plants as an abandoned place of worship +22 Abandoned: The Grade II-listed church, once known as Loxley Methodist Church and Loxley United Reformed Church, is in a shocking state +22 Key problem: The Sheffield-based chapel was built in 1787 - but it is now a scene of torn Bibles, broken organs and smashed windows +22 Boarded up: The cemetery is overgrown with graves being lost in the foliage - provoking outrage amongst families of the deceased +22 Left behind: A Daily Herald newspaper cutting from 1960 inside Loxley Chapel, which served its local community for more than two centuries +22 On the floor: The congregation had collapsed to an unsustainable amount by the early 1990s, which saw the chapel’s closure +22 Plaques: The chapel was constructed in 1787 by Curate of Bradfield the Reverend Benjamin Greaves, along with some of his friends The surrounding cemetery is also overgrown with graves being lost in the foliage - provoking outrage amongst

 families of the deceased.

The keys of the enormous organ have been smashed to pieces, while a stack of Bibles and hymn books are now strewn across a storeroom. The chapel was constructed in 1787 by Curate of Bradfield the Reverend Benjamin Greaves, along with some of his friends. Upon completion in the 18th century, its consecration was refused because builders would not install an east-facing window for unknown reasons. It was eventually sold at auction for £315 and became an independent chapel, but had an average congregation of 200 worshippers by 1851. However it soon recovered because according to the Religious Census of 1851 the average congregation at an afternoon service was 200.

A look inside abandoned Loxley Methodist Church +22 Falling apart: The chapel is believed to be owned by Hague Farming of Bradfield, but nobody at the company was available for comment today +22 'Come and worship God with us': Sunday services at the chapel used to be held at 10.30am every week - and once a month at 6.30pm as well +22 Looking down: Upon completion in the 18th century, its consecration was refused because builders would not install an east-facing window +22 +22 In and out: It was sold at auction for £315 and became an independent chapel, but had an average congregation of 200 worshippers by 1851 +22 Used to be busy: According to the Religious Census of 1851, the average congregation at an afternoon service at Loxley Chapel was 200 +22 Surveying the scene: Looking out into the overgrown cemetery from the abandoned Loxley Chapel in Sheffield But the congregation had collapsed to an unsustainable amount by the early 1990s, which saw the chapel’s closure.

Many of the 240 victims of the 1864 Great Sheffield Flood, one of Britain’s worst man-made disasters, are buried in the cemetery. The flood occurred when the Dale Dyke Dam broke as its reservoir was being filled for the first time. It sent 650million gallons of water cascading into central Sheffield while people were sleeping in their beds. Amongst the bodies that are buried here are the Armitage family, who lost 12 members including five children. RMS Titanic chief officer Henry Tingle Wilde - who is thought to have killed himself as the ship sank in 1912 - was baptised at the chapel. But the state of the church now has caused furious reaction among locals and visitors to the graveyard, who want action.

+22 Upsetting: The state of the church has caused furious reaction among locals and visitors to the graveyard, who want action +22 All quiet now: Sheet music for 'Praise and Prayer - Anniversary Anthem' by Colin Sterne and H Ernest Nichol sits on a pew in the chapel +22 Church and graveyard: Amongst the bodies that are buried outside are the Armitage family, who lost 12 members including five children +22 Remembered: A plaque on the chapel wall in memory of the Reverend John Lee, a former pastor who died in 1913 aged 71, and his wife Ellen +22 Sheet music on a stand: The owner is said to have the freehold of the land, while the grave plots still belong to families of the deceased +22 Reminder of days gone by: Copies of The Free Church Council Hymnal - priced at fourpence - sit abandoned at Loxley Chapel in Sheffield Shropshire resident Iain Kelly has relatives buried in the chapel’s graveyard, and said he was ‘shocked’ at its state after visiting there in 2010.

Mr Kelly said: ‘After a long search I was unable to identify the family graves and came away quite distressed at the total and utter neglect. Writing on Sheffield Forum, he added: ‘My horror was increased on the discovery that the burial ground is still accepting new customers, as it were. ‘I can’t help but feel that this is a shocking state of affairs being a microcosm of much which is wrong with our society. Here lay our dead. ‘Sheffield people laid to rest in originally quite beautiful surroundings but now ignored and forgotten. How did this come about?’ The chapel is believed to be owned by Hague Farming of Bradfield, but nobody at the company was available for comment today. However, one issue is said to be that while the owner has the freehold of the land, the grave plots still belong to families of the deceased. GREAT SHEFFIELD FLOOD: WHEN 650MILLION GALLONS OF WATER CASCADED INTO SHEFFIELD - KILLING 240 PEOPLE As a gale swept through Sheffield on the night of March 11, 1864, a water engineer was sheltering under the new dam when he noticed a crack.

It was only wide enough to take a penknife, but it stretched along the earthen bank for 50 yards, following a jagged line 12 yards from the top. Just before midnight the dam burst, sending 650million gallons of water cascading into Sheffield in a disaster which killed 240 people in their beds. +22 Great Sheffield Flood: The dam burst, sending 650million gallons of water cascading into the town in a disaster which killed 240 people Half of those who died instantly were children, and around 60 more were killed as diseases swept through the stagnant water in the aftermath. But historians claim that one of Britain's worst disasters has been largely forgotten because the dead were northern and working-class. For years there was no full-scale memorial to those who died in Sheffield, with only a small memorial stone near Bradfield, where the reservoir stood. The dam was built by the Sheffield Waterworks Company from 1859 to provide drinking water for the people of the fast-growing industrial town.

+22 Diasastrous: The dam was built by the Sheffield Waterworks Company from 1859 to provide drinking water for the people of the town It was also designed to provide a supply of running water for the mills in surrounding villages. But as it was being completed and filled the structure collapsed, sending water cascading down the Loxley Valley - devastating farms and hamlets. The floodwater then moved down to meet the River Don and laid waste to large areas of the centre of Sheffield. Harrowing stories emerged of how many of the victims died. One person who drowned was a new-born baby washed from his mother's arms. Three children died in a cellar while their parents were away. Then a village and now a suburb, Malin Bridge was worst hit - with 102 deaths. Abandoned and crumbling, these derelict churches are a reflection of the long, slow decline of a once-great city. They are all located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the city where modern America was born, but which for the past 40 years has slowly been paling into insignificance.

The photographs were taken by Matthew Christopher, a photographer and lecturer who works in the city, who has campaigned to raise more than $45,000 to preserve and maintain them. +14 St. Bonaventure Roman Catholic Church: This stunning ruin is one of Philadelphia's many crumbling churches +14 Another view of St. Bonaventure: The derelict houses of worship reflect the long, slow decline of Philadelphia over the past 40 years +14 A view down the nave of St. Bonaventure shows how it has been smashed at the transept, with the choir totally destroyed +14 Pews peer out at a grey sky over the Pennsylvania city: The pictures were taken by local photographer Matthew Christopher +14 +14 Whatever has happened to St. Bonaventure to smash half of the church left a lot of rubble behind Mr Christopher said that because of Philadelphia's many church consolidations and closures it provides the perfect location to shoot America's decaying wonders. 'In order to find the churches, I do quite a bit of research, networking and partnering with preservation groups, property owners and so forth,' he said.

'It helps when people see over time that I'm not going to belittle their faith or take advantage of their trust and that I'm not interested in using my work to harm the buildings or the people who have been kind enough to allow me access to them. 'Unlike almost any other style of buildings, churches are purely a form of art - by their very nature designed to make you look upward and consider greater things than your day to day troubles. 'Most other buildings have elements of form, but function is the end goal - a factory needs to produce things, a school needs to make it simple to find and attend classes. 'In a church, the form is the function. You're surrounded by beautiful windows casting colored light, intricately carved altars, hearing hymns that are centuries old. That sense of timelessness and connection to the divine is why they exist. 'In the U.S. they were often founded by immigrant craftspeople with trade skills and materials that no longer exist.

So in many ways they're very unique repositories for an area's heritage.' +14 The Church of the Transfiguration lies eerily empty but in good shape, having weathered the years rather better than St Bonaventura +14 The stoup in the Church of the Transfiguration is dry and empty, and the floor around it covered in plaster dust +14 The doors are locked shut, and the central aisle littered with old detritus, in this view of the exit to the Church of the Transfiguration +14 The vast empty space of the Church of the Transfiguration shows walls and ceilings fading with age and riddled with damp +14 These seats, which would once have been filled with hymn-singing worshippers, lie empty and gather dust in a gloomier corner of the Church of the Transfiguration +14 A shaft of light pierces the still air inside the church as it emanates from a window nest to a spiral staircase leading to a higher level +14 Windows smashed, pews reduced to splinters and damp slowly suffusing through its walls, St Boniface Church is a sorry shadow of how it might have looked in its hey day +14 The remains of an old heating

 system lies decaying in a hidden space behind a window of St Boniface Mr Christopher's fascination with abandoned spaces started when he was a child.

He enjoyed looking at artwork set in buildings that have since decayed. His fascination with churches stemmed from this genre of art, as many painters in the late 1700s and early 1800s would paint churches and abbeys, closed under Henry VIII. Later this year a book named 'Abandoned America: The Age of Consequence' will be released documenting some of the most spectacular ruins, including Mr Christopher's church pictures.

Question: In 1864, the Dale Dyke Dam burst while being filled, leading to the death of 240 people in which British city?
Answer: SHEFFIELD